Family of British Church Leader Seeks Legal Recourse Following False Arrest in India
The family of a Manchester-based church leader is exploring potential legal action against Indian authorities after he was wrongfully detained on accusations of attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity.
Pankaj Devnoor, a 50-year-old member of the Anglican Episcopal Church International, had traveled to Pune, India, to participate in a church anniversary celebration. However, his visit took a harrowing turn when he was arrested mid-service. According to reports, local police acted on an allegation from a rickshaw driver who claimed that Mr. Devnoor was a missionary intent on orchestrating religious conversions.
While Mr. Devnoor’s immigration status permitted him to attend religious services, he was legally prohibited from preaching without explicit government permission. Despite this, the allegations escalated into a criminal matter under Maharashtra state’s Freedom of Religion Act—a component of India’s rigorous anti-conversion statutes.
It has since emerged that the legislation under which Mr. Devnoor was charged was not actually in force at the time of his arrest. Following this revelation, the anti-conversion charges against him were dropped, and he has been granted bail. However, the legal ordeal is far from over; authorities have indicated he may still face prosecution for potential breaches of immigration regulations.
The incident has left Mr. Devnoor’s family in a state of distress, as his personal details—including his name and home address—were widely circulated throughout Indian media outlets. Concerned for his safety and reeling from the financial burden of the ongoing legal battle, his family has launched a fundraiser to cover his defense costs and facilitate his return to the UK.
Speaking to The Independent, the pastor’s son, Punit, expressed deep concern for his father’s wellbeing, noting that the ordeal has caused him "acute mental and emotional stress."
"My father has given much of his life to serving others," Punit said, highlighting his father’s history of ministry within the Church of England and his volunteer work visiting sick patients in NHS hospitals. "The situation is very scary. Our priority is making sure he comes back home safe. That’s the first thing, and then after that, we’ll see what needs to be done."
As the family continues to navigate the complexities of the Indian justice system, they are now considering legal action against the police department responsible for the arrest, citing the wrongful detention and the subsequent risk to Mr. Devnoor’s safety.
